Holocaust education

Contrary to malicious emails that have been circualating, Holocaust education continues to remain a mandatory component of the National Curriculum for History, as it has been since 1991.

In February 2008, Ed Balls MP, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families refuted claims that the Holocaust has been removed from the National Curriculum and also announced the renewed Government funding for the Holocaust Educational Trust’s ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ Project which includes a one day visit to the former Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau for students engaged in post-16 education.

Mr Balls said: “The Holocaust was one of the most horrific and profound events in world history and I want every young person to have an understanding of it. Over 60 years on there are still lessons that we can all learn from this and the funding we are announcing today is money wisely spent.

Teaching of the Holocaust is compulsory in all secondary schools between the ages of 11 and 14 and can also be studied in GCSE History courses when studying the Second World War. There is also scope to cover it in English, Politics lessons and Citizenship classes. The Holocaust Educational Trust’s project is extremely valuable and one I am delighted the Government is able to support.” [i]

The AJR has been asked by The Holocaust Educational Trust (HET) to publicise this note to refute any of these unfounded rumours circulating via email.